Coupling for rods and tubes



OCL 20, 1942 K. G. sTRuNK ErAL COUPLING FOR RODS AND TUBES Filed Dec. 22, 1941 ww uw uw lb.

@Nl vw mw @m INVENTORS KEN/TH G. 57m/mr lZ//i/w 0 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 20, 1942 :,zsass'l coUrmNG Fon nous AND rUnEs Kenith G. Strunk, East Orange, and Ward D. Dayton, Bloomfield, N. J., signora to Breele Corporations, Inc., Ne

tion of New Jersey werk, N. J., a Acorpora- Application December 22, 1941, Serial No. 424,028'

8 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for connecting and disconnecting tubes, rods and analogous elements.

There are many conditions in which such parts must be coupled or separated easily and rapidly, particularly in aeroplane installations, and in which the space may be limited to such extent that ordinary methods are inconvenient and inadequate.

It is frequently found that stress rods and the like are necessarily disposed in positions substantially inaccessible, except at one or the other of their ends, and occasionally it becomes needful to release the same and to reconnect speedily.

The special object'of the invention is to provide an inelastic connector capable of resisting. all strains, torsional, tensile or compressive, up to the ultimate limit of strength of the material used in its structure.

A further featureis in the provision of a type of lock coupling, not materially larger-in diameter-than that of the connected parts, nor of excessive length, it being compact, light in weight, and capable of application to a rod or tube, either at an end or at any point along its length.

Another purpose is to produce a device for expeditiously engaging and disengaging the ends of such elements, entirely by manual operation, no tools or special appliances being required.

These beneficial objects are accomplished by the novel and practical construction, combination and arrangement of mechanical elements, characterizing the invention, as hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, constituting a part of this disclosure, and in which:

- Figure l is a side view of an embodiment of the invention, shown in a closed condition and indicating its application.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and drawn to an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the connecting elements separately and in position for engagement.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a similar sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the element to be connected is shown as a tube having spaced apart ends I5R and I5L, such as would occur by cutting the tube and removing a short length to receive the coupling.

cylindrical plug I8, held securely, as by silver solder I1 or other preferred means.

The entering end portion of the plug has a bore I3 in which a rod may be held in a similar manner alternatively with tube.

An annular groove I9 formed in the tube is receptive of a split spring ring 20, acting as a stop for the tube; the continuing portion of the plug I6, extending beyond the ring, is equally reduced, on opposite sides, to produce a central, flat vinculum 2l, having parallel sides and of a width corresponding to the diameter of the plug, and which terminates in a nib 22, constituting a generally cylindrical head, its axis `at a right angle to that of the plug and its ends extending outwardly so that its length is considerably greater than the diameter of the plug.

Slidably engaged on the plug I6 is a sleeve 23, having a shoulder 24 and a diametrically reduced portion 25 therebeyond, provided with a gradually increasing taper to an enlarged terminal flange 26.

Formed lengthwise in the main, forward portion of the sleeve 23 is a narrow recess 21, leading to one of a pair of diametrically opposed openings 28 in the sleeve, near its front end, and leading therefrom, to one side, are bayonet slots 29.

A split spring band 30 is mounted slidably on the tapered portion 25 of the sleeve, limited in movement between the shoulder 24 and ange 26, and normally urged forwardly, due to its inclined seat 25.

Integral with the band 30 is spring strip 3i, fitting the recess 2l and having its front end downwardly bent, constituting a spring detent 32; in order to facilitate moving the detent into and out of operative position, the band 30 is provided with an elongated finger receiving slot 33.

The mating plug 35 contains a similar bore 36 and is enterable into the tube end ISR, where it may be soldered or otherwise secured. A collar 31 on the plug limits its entrance into the tube.

The front, inner stem end 38 of the plug contains a central transverse bored socket 39 adapted to receive the nib 22, while leading from the bore, to the extreme end of the plug, is a slot or bifurcation 40 receptive of the vinculum 2I.

In operation, the nib 22 is entered into the bore 39, while the vinculum 2I enters the slot 40 by relative lateral movement; the sleeve 23 is then moved to enclose these elements, the band- 30 and detent being drawn rearwardly, a slight turn is then given the sleeve 23, relative to the Fixed in the end ISL is the outer end of a plugs, causing the ends of the nib 22 to pass into claimed .as new and the bayonet slots 2l. whereupon the detent 3.2.

bcing'moved forward, acts to preventrelease of `thenib,locklngthetwomainpai'tsofthecou-Y pling together. Y Obviously, by sliding the band 3l rearward on the sleeve, vthe detent is withdrawn. allowing the sleeve 2l to be partially rotated, freeing-thenibl andperm'itting separation by llateral movement. As such lateral movement need not exceed the lengthof the nib, no excessive bending ofthe connected tube, or rod. ends need be made.

It will ybeunderstood that thespec'iilc shape of the nib 22 is immaterial, the essential feature being that it constitutes van enlarged. elongated head, transverse to the axis of the coupling, the

l be apparent that tubes, rods and like elements,

of various cross sections are readily connectible by the device. Therefore, as changes of construction could be made within the scope ofthe inventionyit is in- .tended that all matter contained in the foregolindricel plugs elements to be connected and disconnected.

means at the outer portions of said plugs to locate said elements therewith, a central socket formed diametricallv through the inner portion of one of said plugs and a parallel walled passage leading from the socket to tbe end of the plug. a vinculum on .themating plug suited to engage in said passage, an elongated transverse nib connected by said vinculum to engage in said socket. its 'ends extending outwardly. a sleeve slidable and rotatable on said plug to extend over nib and 16 mating element being iittedther'eto; it will also socket joint, bayonet joint slots in said sleeve in which to engage the extending ends of said head. and 4means to lock said ends therein.

5. A shackle coupling for uniting two linear elements longitudinally, comprising a plug ilxed toone element, a collar on said plug and an exingdescription, or shown in the accompanying v drawing, shallbe interpreted as illustrative, and notin a limitative Having thus described thedveatin, what is Patent, :c:

-j'the unattached-portlon ofxsaid mating plug, a.

desired v.to secure by Letters 1. A shackle ccupnng'naving istercuyfmtcrsecting ends capable Aof one being completely.;

passed through the" other,V and 'releasable means said nib, and resilientl means to 'retain'said sleeve tension therebeyond, a cylindrical socket. formed dlametrically through the extension, said socket j having a parallel .walled passage leading through the end cf the nbias plus fixed t0 the other element, la flattened central extension on transverse cylindrical nib'on said'central extension, said central'extension and nib respectively flttlngsaid passage andv socket, a sleeve slidable on said mating plug to extendover the joint thus formed, saidsleeve having opposed ba net slots receptive o! the'end portions of said and hav"- inga `longitudinal slot therein, means l limit the #sliding movement of said sleeve, a sp c' band when said nib ends are engaged in. the sleeve openings, said couplingadapted tobe manually controlled and vto resist torsional and 'tensional gtraj n3, l L 2..A shackle coupling comprising, in combination withtwo elements iixedly united with the parts to be coupled, and-cylindrical projections on c .the adjacent ends of said elements, one of said ,projections having a transversegopening there-.'- -through anda slot extending' from theopening limitedly slidable on said sleeve and a strip movable in said slot, and adetent on the free end of said strip adapted to retain the ends' of saidl nib when in a forward position.

6. coupling for uniting linear elements *I prising two, plugs each iixed in `its respective element, one of said plugs having in its extending portion a slottermins-ting in an interlorenlargement,v an extension on theother oi said plugs en- I tel'able in the S101; and its laterally from either side, and means vplugs in engagement when inf'axiahallnement.

to-,th'e end of the element, a cross bar connected vwith theI end of the other of said elements and engageable in the opening, a sleeve movable `on the other of .said elements, bayonet slots in said sleeve to engage vthe ends of said bar,v and releasable means toconiine saidends -when' engaged inthe slot.

3. A shackle coupling comprising a pair of plugs -each ilxed at their outer 4portions to the adjacent ends of elements to be coupled, one voi said plugs having a transverse socket in its vinner portion'and a narrow passage leading therefrom through the plug vend, an elongated nib and head tted to said socket, a connection between said head and inner portion-of the other ofsaid plugs, said connection being fitted to the passage, a sleeve slidable on the head carryc tain said 7. A` coupling foruniting elements lengthwise', comprising'- a: plug arjbifurcation terminating in a bore exceeding in diameter the width ofthe bifurcation',a second plug havc ing a stem-engageable inthe bifurcation of the first plug, a nibvon the end of said stem entercble in thev ocre ifv the nrst plug, at. least one end of said nib extending -therebeyond, av sleeve rotatably and slidably adjustable on the first plug and having bayonet slots to engage the extending end of said nib, and a spring detenttoretain said sleeve when in adjusted position.

8. A coupling for uniting linear elements, ,comprising a plug having aA flattened portion, and an elongated nib at theend thereof. a socket having a slot completelytherethrough adapted to receive such flattened portion and nib. a sleeve slidabls p on 'said plug to fo'rm a rigid connection between said plug and socket,`and a spring Vdetent ading plug, means in said-sleeve to engage the ends of said hea and manually adjustable means to retain id head in said sleeve engaging means.

4. A shackle coupling comprising a pair of cyjustably carried by said sleeve to retain the l plus and socket when in engagement.

KENITH G. STR UNK. WARD D. DAYTON.

adapted for fixed engagement with 

